Beware of Falling Trees in Bali

5 Deaths Blamed on Strong Winds in North Bali.

Adverse weather in Bali’s north on Sunday, December 15, 2013 resulted in ancient trees falling along the Seririt-Singaraja road, blamed for the death of two local residents.

Desy Handayani (23) and Made Artana (46) from Mayong Village near Seririt were killed instantly when a large falling tree struck the motorcycle on which they were traveling.

As reported by Bali Daily (The Jakarta Post), police for the Seririt Police precinct confirmed the two were found dead at the scene with serious head injuries.

Commander I Made Joni issued a warning to the public, saying: “There are so many old trees along the roads, we cannot be sure about their condition.”

At the same time, police asked the department of public works to inspect the condition of trees lining the main highway.

A public works official from Buleleng refused to shoulder the blame, insisting that the trees are a matter for attention by the provincial government. Ketut Yasa of the Buleleng Public Works Office said: “The shade trees were planted by the provincial administration and therefore, it is their responsibility to deal with the trees.”

Wishing to spread around the blame even further, Yasa added: “All members of the community must also be proactive in protecting their locales, including reporting to Buleleng Public Works Agency, as well as the Sanitation and Landscape Agency, when they find old trees that may endanger motorists and people.”

The severe weather in Bali’s north was also blamed for the death of three construction workers at Lokpaksa in Serirt when the wall at a construction site collapse. Dead are three workers Gede Sarjana (25) from Karangasem, and Gusti Gede Mangku (45) and Gusti Aji Mangku (50) – both from Lokpaksa.